Jul 11, 2012 | by James Dudko, bleacherreport.com

Justin Smith, Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman get all the headlines, but Isaac Sopoaga is the cornerstone of the San Francisco 49ers defense. The veteran nose tackle deserves a lucrative new contract after his current deal expires at the end of the 2012 season.

The unheralded nine-year pro made the switch to nose tackle in 2011 and quickly became one of ...